Saturday, February 06, 2010

As reported several months back, the PS22 Chorus of 2009 filmed several short songs for the VH1 DIVAS 2009 special that aired in September! Below are extended versions of the two songs that were included, and 3 extra never-before seen songs that were NOT featured on the broadcast! Most impressively, the kids learned all five of these songs on the day of the shoot! Big thanks to Chiho and everyone at the VH1 Save The Music Foundation for getting these performances to us! They certainly deserve to see the light of day.

For starters, here are the kids singing "Chasing Pavements" by Adele. This song did indeed air on the DIVAS special, and now here is an awesome extended version. Allie does the usual brilliant job we've come to expect from her!

And the other song that aired on DIVAS 2009 was "Bleeding Love" by Leona Lewis. Tirzah shows that she can do more than "just dance!"

Here is Samantha sounding better than ever on "Tattoo" by Jordin Sparks, who introduced the chorus at the White House Tree Lighting Ceremony just two months ago! Small world... ;) This song did not air on the broadcast, but certainly, as evidenced here, was no less worthy.

And always great to hear Elijah soloing! Here he is on a song that suited him perfectly -- Kelly Clarkson's "Breakaway!"

And last, but certainly not least, is April, leading the chorus in a quite lovely version of "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus. April shows that she still "rules the world," and the chorus sounds beautiful as well.

7 comments:

I was so excited to see all of these and enjoyed seeing the old gang and watching every one of the videos (multiple times). It wasn't until the milionth watching that I realized what an accomplishment that day was!It's amazing to me that they can learn 5 songs in one day an nail them like they did-- for broadcast on VH1 no less-- all while on summer vacation!

A true testament to the wonderful effects this experience has on their lives! BRAVO guys--

I just saw you guys on NY Nonstop on TV, and I am so impressed! These kids and their teacher are awesome. I am sharing this with all my friends on Facebook. PLEASE make a DVD or CD we can buy to support your program and/or create more like it in other schools. People need to see things like this to understand why we need more support for the Arts in public schools!

What a phenomenal group of kids!! I have been a fan of the PS22 Chorus for a while, and I absolutely love watching the videos of the kids. Some days I will come back home after a tough day and watching these kids sing brings a smile to my face. Not only are they talented, but they are passionate about music, you can tell by their faces when they sing.

I can tell that you inspire these kids everyday. I am a teacher too (a new teacher actually, this is my second year teaching, and someday I hope to inspire my students the way that you inspire these kids. Congratulations on your success with the choir, and keep encouraging these kids to believe in themselves and believe that great things are possible. :)

Tori Amos

"They were so good! Their arrangements -- their sound -- it was so good.... It was...... disarming. It means so much that they took it and made it their own."-- Tori Amos after a private performance by the PS22 Chorusof her songs at the Sony Atrium in N.Y.C.

Common

"I feel honored to perform with PS22. The energy brought me up to a natural high on music and art, and just the spirits of you all. You all are so exciting to perform with..... I'm gonna remember this day forever."--hip hop legendCommonon performing with the PS22 Chorus at the National Tree Lighting 2009 for President Obama

David Cook

"Oh my God! It's ridiculous... It is incredible how good you guys are!!"-- David Cook, American Idol winner, after singing with PS22 Chorus!

Bonnie Hunt

Innocence Mission

"What a beautiful, beautiful, joyful version. It is a huge improvement on the original. The children brought tears to my eyes with their glorious singing and smiles. I so love the energy of this performance, the arrangement, the harmonies, everything."-- Karen PerisofThe Innocence Missionin apersonal message to the PS22 Chorusafter seeing the kids' video of the song "There" from their album, GLOW

Tribute WTC

Wikipedia

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IMPROVS

Improvising is a skill that really demands great natural musical ability, particularly to do it at 9 or 10 years old! All of the following songs were being created and recorded as you hear them here (with some minor post-editing). PS22 Chorus member JUSTIN, with occasional super-special guests including legendary PS22 Chorus Alumni CLIVE, DEON, BEN, ADIZA, KARIMA, BRI-AH, & AMANDA D., demonstrates the technique brilliantly.

Stevie Nicks

B.J. Novak

"My God! We watch you all the time at work, at The Office, all the actors, all the writers... You guys are amazing! I swear to you, you're an inspiration, keep it up!"-- B.J. Novak, star of The Office, raves about the PS22 Chorusat The Webby Awards!

Sinead O'Connor

"Most beautiful, joyous thing I seen apart from me own children ." -- Sinead O'Connorafter seeing the PS22 Chorus video of her song "Jackie!" PS22 was then invited to be the opening act for her concert at the Highline Ballroom in New York City.

Passion Pit

"These kids made the record what we had been dreaming it to be, as they are integral parts of three songs.... It felt so unbelievable to have the exact sound that I wanted coming through the headphones...."-- Michael Angelakosof Passion Pit on recording with the PS22 Chorus

Nancy Pelosi

"...You indeed, as you sing, 'rule the world!'"--Speaker of the HouseNancy Pelosiafter hearing the chorus sing at the Capitol